July Work Party - 03/07/2016

It was perfect weather for the woodland work this morning, not too hot, not too cold and absolutely no rain! The sun was shining and the grass was dry enough for the paths to be mown. Nettles around the ancient Baldwin apple were cut back and we were able to see how well it is doing with lots of new growth. Long undergrowth was also reduced around the hazel trees in the den in the hope that they will eventually make a more substantial structure

Speckled wood butterfly 

Ringlet butterfly

 Plenty of insects buzzing, flying and crawling about in the woodland today including these two butterflies in the glade. Also spotted in the main path area were some dragonflies and hoverflies enjoying the bramble flowers.

While out on the bug hunt we found, not one, but two woodmouse nests with tiny pink babies!

This is the mouse watching us for a few moments before coming out of the nest to move her babies from a hole on the other side. The cover was replaced very quickly once she came out.

To finish, this is the award now in situ in the woodland where it sits beautifully back lit at the top of the main path.

June

Over the last couple of weeks we've had a lot of rain and a lot of sun and the woodland is looking very lush at the moment. Today, June 12th 2016, all around the country there are parties to celebrate the Queen's official 90th birthday .Framsden Woodland Group is no exception and we have combined our annual plant sale with a big lunch picnic in the glade.

  

The plant sale this morning was a great success with nearly all the plants sold and lots of tea and cake as well. Photo taken through the hatch!

Veronica chamaedrys, Germander speedwell

The weather was a bit overcast and drizzly but in true British fashion people turned out and sat in the rain to eat their sandwiches. The children enjoyed a run round to find the clues on the treasure hunt, Alex won the junk crown competition and was very pleased with his prize.

The bug hunt was abandoned as the rain fell a bit harder, which was a shame as I found a lovely toad on my solo trip around the wood. Maybe next time!

May 2016 Work party

The woodland is really greening up now which makes the mown paths more defined and means you can't see all the way through the wood anymore.

This month the mowing of the paths and glades began in earnest and the massive trunk of the tree felled last month was cut into manageable lengths. There was weeding, mulching and more primroses planted. Some non native trees on the top boundary were reduced in height to let more light in and the area around the new table prepared for seeding.

Mowing the glade

The den area was mulched

Lots of cabbage white butterflies and some orange tips as well as two frogs were spotted today. During the week a sloworm has been seen and also in the neighbouring churchyard.

Red campion, cowslips and garlic mustard.

It was a hot day and there was good turnout including some new recruits. Refreshments very much welcome at the end of the session.

April Work Party

Wild daffodils

The sun shone, the birds sang and it was a beautiful morning to be in the woodland. Some wild foxglove plants were added to a path edge to increase species diversity and the den saplings mulched to help their growth and suppress weeds.

Planting foxgloves

A leaning tree was successfully felled with a two handled vintage saw into a neighbouring garden and the brash tidied up.

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Wire netting was added to the bridge as it had been getting slippery and the fantastic recycled glass trophy was toasted in a suitable fashion. Cheers all!

Made by honeypie handmade in Ipswich

winners!

So guess what- we won the Greenest Community section at Suffolk Greenest County awards yesterday. Jeannie collected the award which was appropriate as she wrote the application. Well done one and all!

March work party

Good turn out for this month's work party despite it being mothering Sunday and the proposed filming being cancelled.

The new saw was used to cut up some fallen trees into movable chunks and the fire pit was lit for a bit of warmth and to cook on.

Snowdrops, now in their green state having finished flowering, were planted in clumps to add to the ones already there.

Quick update just to say that thanks to Jeannie's great application to the Greenest County Awards we have been shortlisted for the final in the Greenest Community section. They are coming to film us at the next work party. How exciting!